U2360° TOURLeg 3: 2011

'Tonight might be the night to toast a man who has meant so much to this band...
'Without this man, things might have turned out a little differently.
'Larry Mullen Jnr would not be the drummer of U2... he'd be a highway patrol man. But in Dublin!
'Adam Clayton, what would he be without this man? I'm thinking hand bag designer. Really posh ones though... a designer of fine things...'

Edge, continues Bono, would have been a city planner and as for himself, probably a theatre critic. But none of those histories came to pass because four young musicians in Dublin bumped into Paul McGuinness and tonight, at the opening show in Anaheim, for the first time in three decades they persuaded him to join them on stage.

'So tonight, we want to toast our manager, Paul McGuinness, whose sixtieth birtday it was yesterday. Here with his wife Kathy, his daughter Alexandra and his son Max. It's impossible to say what this man means to us... '

And disappearing backstage Bono returns to introduce Paul McGuinness to 90,000 people who wouldn't have been here on this night if he hadn't seen what he saw in those four musicians all those years ago.

'For the first time ever on the U2 stage..' says Bono, as Paul greets the band who lead the audience in a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday.

It Was Lenny Kravtiz who got everyone in the right groove on a balmy evening at Angel Stadium and when Even Better Than The Real Thing marked the arrival of the main attraction everyone was on their feet as two and a half hours passed in a moment.

'Thank you, thank you. Thanks to Los Angeles favorite son Lenny Kravitz for opening the show, our very special guest. Incredible dude, the kids a star. Thank you all for your patience.'
Also in the house tonight, another special guest with a key role in the story of this band - Chris Blackwell who signed U2 to his Island Records when they were barely out of their teens. Stay is dedicated to Chris while Pride is dedicated to Maria Shriver. Can't fail to mention yet another compelling new video making a debut tonight, this one created by Run Wrake for Miss Sarajevo - more coming on that soon.

Before you knew it, the lights were down and Bono was pointing out the milky way of cellphones illuminating the night, inviting everyone to think about our small blue planet, spinning round the sun 'and all the people trying not to fall off.' And that was our Moment of Surrender on a night of birthday wishes.

Were you at Angel Stadium for the opening show in Anaheim tonight? Was it your first time or your forty first time? Your tenth birthday or your sixtieth? Add your own review of the show and post your photos below.

COMMENTS

Amazing show, and I finally got to hear one of my favorite songs, Zooropa, in concert! Thanks for an awesome show and amazing memories!

DubDaughter

18 June, 2011

Happy Birthday Paul McGuinness

I got to chat with U2 mgr Paul McGuinness 2x! We have a mutual friend, singer/musician/songwriter Paddy Casey from Dublin!

apolo8821

18 June, 2011

Worth the wait!

Just amazing! Heard BAD in the sound check,but not played.Hope they play it on Sat.Play it!So.Cal always a great venue.

Inspire

18 June, 2011

One Big Sigh

At home in my pjs, my make up stinging my eyes, my ears ringing, the house quiet except for the tapping freckled dog feet, I wonder if tonight was a dream. Is it true? Was I with my cousin who had brain surgery last year, my chronically ill sister, my college-age daughter at Angel Stadium watching the best band in the history of rock and roll? Is it over? The most inspiring experience in my life. Was it a figment? If it was, it was the best dream concert I have been a part of. I wish I could re-live it. It was a dream come true times 20. Thank you U2 family for being inspiring in all ways. You all make me want to work harder and do more. Sleep well. You did yourselves proud.

Damian Byrne

18 June, 2011

Even Better....

Than the Real Thing..... Epic night. Worth waiting for EBTTRT and Zooropa.
Made me wish I was home in Dublin. Thanks boys

17 June, 2011

YOU COULD BRING DOWN THE HOUSE!

Transition from ..."all I want is you......to.....Where the streets have no name"....Guaranteed!

DavidSoCal

17 June, 2011

Humour Me

and play some STAND UP COMEDY!!!!!!! That song is rock and roll!

trabbie

16 June, 2011

YIPPYYYYYYYYYY!!!!

The Claw in Angels Atadium!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

greydogblues

16 June, 2011

counting down

have seen U2 over 20 times in 3 states - all great shows, but, my favorite venue is Anaheim, hands down. oakland was good - outside factors made it not great. will be at both shows in Anaheim - i have high hopes of hearing Bad either there or in Chicago... :) have fun one and all!!

u2fan10

16 June, 2011

Magical Night in So California

I have been a die hard U2 fan since 1984 , the band, the music , spiritual beliefs have helped me thru some dark times in my life ! When my mother passed away in May of 2007, U2 and their music helped me stay strong mentally & physically thru my moms death from Ovarian Ca....it has been truly a long wait since the original purchase date in 2009.....I am really looking forward to a spiritual and emotional concert experience but overall a GREAT TIME .....
Thank you Bono, The Edge , Adam and Larry for acentuating my life with music with heart and soul
See you on Friday guys !!!!!!!!!

martini_cat

15 June, 2011

Anaheim June 17th

Only 45 hours and counting.... this has been a long wait, but so worth it!!

mr_mojo

15 June, 2011

On our way from Sydney!

Looking forward to the two shows in Anaheim! Coming over from Sydney Australia for my 42nd and 43rd U2 shows since first seeing them in 1984 here in Sydney. Hopefully, the boys might play Bad again!

bubiss

14 June, 2011

Jealous of Anaheim

One week ago tonight, the show in Oakland was getting ready to wrap up, and I was there, was bummed when it was over. Attention fans in Anaheim you are in for a magical evening!! Trust me. I will be working Friday night but my heart will be in Anaheim.

angespy1

14 June, 2011

U2 Baby!!

Can we tailgate at the stadium?

utsa2004

14 June, 2011

How great is U2

The band has not ever played none of the following 4 gems songs: Drowning Man, So Cruel, Acrobat and Fez Being Born. For a real U2 fan will be a dream come true if only they could play any of these songs live. I wonder if there can be a big change in the setlist for next concerts. I would attend my third concert if they add whichever of these songs. I have enjoyed the 2 previous concerts, but there were some songs that did not really moved me on those shows. NOne of the All that You Can live Behind album songs moved me, I think they are overrated, but sadly the guys like to play them. I am sure Acrobat or So cruel are by far better live songs than those referred. Keep praying for some changes....

14 June, 2011

No Line On the Horizon

Having a family reunion at night 1. My cousin is flying in from Aguascalientes, Mexico!!! We hope to be on the rail.... Plz play No Line On the HOrizon... Tio MIguel says, "Fuerza Rayos!"

word2boonie

14 June, 2011

bad

please play bad!!!! june 17th my 30th bday! play bad!!!

greydogblues

12 June, 2011

oak to ana to chic

oakland was good. have seen U2 in anaheim years ago = GREAT VENUE. hoping for a repeat. taking 4 sisters, niece and 81 yr old mom!! she is excited to be a part of what has been my passion for 25+ years! :) CANNOT WAIT!!! then, on to chicago.... still hoping for Bad or 40, but so happy with Scarlet and other early tracks they are working in.... having said that, Miss Sarajevo & Stay were unexpected highlights from oakland.

JeanPaulesan

12 June, 2011

Please

Hi i wanna give a special present to my girlfriend please help me, her birthday on June 20 and I want Bono to send her a congratulatory greeting in video (happy birthday), hers name is Celide she is from Peru, and she is a U2 Number1 FAN please, It is a special gift, i am in loving her, i want to surprise her please please please Bono please says Jean loves you and he does for you
THANK YOU

me and my wife will travel from Colombia to see the concert, please sing stuck in a moment ...

u2fan10

06 June, 2011

can somone with knowledge confirm palm s

I posted a previous ? Regarding if a palm sized camcorder is allowed as it also can be used as a camera ....please confirm if it will be allowed
Thank you

MickinSoCal

05 June, 2011

re: Cameras

you can bring in your cell phone and you can also bring in a point and shoot camera. Basically you cannot bring in any camera from which you can remove the lens.

u2fan10

04 June, 2011

please confirm about cameras being allow

Can someone please verify if we can bring video cameras and cameras to the concert ??????

Renedenniseethan

03 June, 2011

Cameras

Are we alowed to bring cameras to the concert?

romanroran

03 June, 2011

Light My Way

I will go to tour from Japan
Please,Please Ultraviolet (Light My Way)!

mhudak

31 May, 2011

U2 - U had me at Hello!

Catching the Oakland show in a seat (but will still be close!)
Catching BOTH Anaheim shows from the Red Zone! Do they limit the headcount in the Red Zone per side? Can I walk back & forth?
I will definitely be texting & posting pictures from each show! Caught them in Vegas & it was AMAZING! Caught BONO as he was heading in for sound check. I was at the VIP pre-dinner & his black SUV dropped him so we could all get pix & autographs.AMAZING!
See you in the "zone".

SunnieM

28 May, 2011

U2 Anaheim, CA

Looking forward to seeing U2 again! Woohoo!!

missjordie

16 March, 2011

From Sydney

Saw 360 tour first in 09 in Vegas, then at home in Melbourne and both shows in Sydney - and now in June at the Big A - can't wait.

PATTTYU2

14 March, 2011

FROM MEXICO

YES MY SON AND I WILL GO TO THE ANGELS STADIUM FOR THE FIRST SHOW!!! WILL BE GREAT!! ALSO WE WILL BE IN MEXICO CITY FOR THE THREE SHOWS IN AZTECA STADIUM, SO WE WILL BE IN A LONG ROCK JOURNEY!!!
SEE YOU!!
...DREAM OUT LOUD..!!!